Offshore Oil and Gas Industries (Health and Safety) Bill

Key Points

• Extends health and safety duties to offshore installations, clarifying who must comply (employers, operators and principal duty holders).
• Improves risk management and safety assurance by requiring robust risk assessments, updated safety cases, incident reporting, and stronger regulator enforcement.
• Enhances welfare provisions for offshore workers, including facilities, accommodation, medical care and rest arrangements.
• Tightens offences and penalties for breaches and clarifies offences to improve compliance and enforcement.
• Encourages worker involvement through consultation with safety representatives and trade unions, with protections for whistleblowers where relevant.

Progress

The Bill is currently at Second Reading in the House of Commons. If it progresses, it will move to Committee stage for detailed examination, followed by Report and Third Reading in both Houses.